Why don't you think it's bamboo? Bamboo can be quite thin. Source: I've lived in two houses with yards choked by bamboo, ranging from skinny to chunky.posted by Coatlicue at 8:23 PM on September 2, 2014

I'm pretty sure it looks like bamboo because it's bamboo.posted by foodgeek at 8:25 PM on September 2, 2014

It looks like a clump of bamboo. There are many different types of bamboo with highly variable characteristics. Not all types have thick and tall trunks/stems.posted by Seymour Zamboni at 8:25 PM on September 2, 2014

Bamboo. I'd hold off on the nuking from orbit until you take a stalk w/ leaves into a reputable garden shop, botanical garden or local university extension to get it ID'd. Not all bamboo is virulently invasive.posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 12:24 AM on September 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Certainly Bamboo. My neighbors as a child were Chinese. Very nice couple. They had a circle of Bamboo about 4 feet in diameter that looked almost identical to what you have. They moved away years ago but the bamboo remains. What has remained doesn't seem to be very invasive, it grows up quite a bit and fairly quickly, but it is easily maintained by the current (non Chinese) owners.

Occasionally my dad (with their permission of course) will get a few stalks of it for various crazy notions he has. He likes to play with the strength/flexibility of it in his shop.posted by Twain Device at 5:30 AM on September 3, 2014

What beautiful bamboo you have!posted by elf27 at 7:08 AM on September 3, 2014

Not all bamboo is virulently invasive.

Yes, all species of "bamboo" are exotic invasives in North America. What is not exotic and less invasive is a set of native plants in the same genus that people refer to as "cane".posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 7:16 AM on September 3, 2014

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